Genevieve Marie Berwald January 9, 1921 – July 1, 2011
Genevieve “GiGi� Berwald passed away peacefully on Friday at her Palo Alto home of 57 years surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and her newest great grandson. She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, John J. Berwald. Genevieve was born in Los Angeles and attended John Marshall High School and Queen of Angels Nursing School where she earned her R.N. After marrying John in 1943, she supported him in his long career at Standard Oil Company/Chevron and the many moves early in his career. The young couple moved from Los Angeles to Nebraska where John was stationed during the war. After the war, the couple moved to San Francisco, then to Seattle and back to Los Angeles before returning to San Francisco. Shortly after their move back to San Francisco, John and Genevieve, now with four young children, bought a home in the Greenmeadow development in South Palo Alto and added two more children for a total of six. Genevieve was the perfect mother to Patricia Jones, Janette Aljian, John R. Berwald (Suzanne), Michael Berwald (Allison), Matthew Berwald (Carla), and Mary Berwald. Genevieve was a loving Grandmother to Christopher Aljian, Michael Jones, Brian Aljian, Mi-
chele Aljian, John Berwald, Sean Berwald, Tessa Berwald, and Max Berwald. She was also a proud GreatGrandmother to Sebastian, Oliver, Kaylee, Joshua, Lucas, and Emmett. Genevieve was also survived by her brother Ray Matthews of Jacksonville, Oregon. GiGi was much loved by all that knew her including an extended family of friends and relatives. Genevieve worked part-time as a Registered Nurse at many area hospitals during the early years to help pay the expense of raising six children. She worked at the original Stanford Children’s Convalescent Hospital, Sequoia Hospital, and Peninsula Hospital. A memorial service was held at 1:00 PM, Thursday, July 7th at St. Albert the Great Catholic Church, 1095 Channing Avenue, Palo Alto, CA. In lieu of owers the family suggests donation to Pathways Hospice of Sunnyvale, CA. PA I D
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Esther Hanson Johnson March 25, 1920-June 25, 2011
Esther Johnson, a lifelong resident of Santa Clara Valley, Calif., passed away in her sleep on June 25, 2011, with her husband and son by her side. Esther, born in 1920 in San Francisco to William and Margaret (Imrie) Wilson, grew up on a fruit and chicken ranch on West Parr Avenue, Campbell, with her sister Muriel. She shared many a fond memory with her grandchildren of raising these chickens for the local boys school near Campbell. Attending Campbell High (Class of ‘38) left her with close friendships that would last throughout her life. The “Campbell Co-edsâ€? met every month for many, many years, sharing memories of youth and proud accomplishments of children and grandchildren. Esther participated in CHS reunions well into her 80s. She was a proud civilian employee of the Department of the Army on Treasure Island during World War II, meeting her ďŹ rst husband, William Hanson, in San Francisco. They married in 1945 and from this union came her ďŹ rst beloved son, Bradley. Bill passed away in 1953 from complications with diabetes, leaving Esther to take care of Brad on her own. Taking a job in the secretarial pool with the then small company Hewlett Packard, Esther caught the eye of a young, newly widowed, east-coast transplant, electrical engineer and that was that. In 1957 Larry and Esther were married. That marriage lasted 54 years, ending just this week, far too soon for Larry. Kids came quickly, DJ and EJ, and travel and beach houses held much fun for all of them. Quietly adventuresome, Esther also traveled to China, Europe and across the U.S. Esther mentored her children in the art of
volunteering by being active in the Palo Alto RCG and Allied Arts Guild. She was gentle, with an engaging laugh, always having a kind word or sage advice for any occasion that needed support or celebration, and was the ďŹ rst one to offer her hand if help was needed. After her love for her family, Esther loved anything artistic. She quilted for decades with close friends from the valley; she excelled in oil, watercolor and pastel artistry; we all felt she could out-cook Julia Child (whom she idolized) if she wanted. Her chili was epic. Many thanks to all the caregivers (Christine, Sen, Sesilia, Negi, Homero, Ariceli, Marlene) who provided her with the kindest of care and support around the house. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Larry; two sons, Brad of Cobb, Calif.; Doug of Mountain View, Calif.; and one daughter, EJ/Liz of Caldwell, Idaho; three grandsons, Alex, Duncan and Jack; two granddaughters, Victoria and Derrick; preceded in death by her parents, ďŹ rst husband, Bill, sister, Muriel, and many more. We can rest knowing Esther is in Heaven having that cuppa with the rest of the family, watching us all. We miss you, Mom! A celebration of life will be held Saturday, July 16, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Garden House in Shoup Park, 400 University Ave., Los Altos. PA I D
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Transitions Katherine Cutting Katherine “Kaye� Morrissey Cutting, 88, a 45-year resident of Menlo Park, died July 1, 2011, at Stanford University Medical Center following a brief illness. She was born in Connecticut on July 3, 1922. A graduate of Boston College with a degree in nursing, she served in the South Pacific and Japan during WWII as a nurse. Her family moved from the island of Aruba to Menlo Park in 1966. She
worked for the Palo Alto Medical Clinic, Raychem and Alza Corp. She was also a volunteer at Treasures Hospice in Menlo Park. She is survived by her daughters Cathleen de los Reyes, Lynn Hansen and Eileen Cutting; son Paul L. Cutting; and five grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to Stanford Medical Center, Stroke Center, Office of Medical Development, 300 Pasteur Dr. Palo Alto, CA 94305.
Daphne Enid Bellairs Daphne Enid Bellairs of Palo Alto, California, passed peacefully at her home at age 88 on June 12, 2011 after a long, valiant battle with breast cancer. Daughter of John Isherwood Bradshaw Bellairs and Violet Enid Downham of Derbyshire, England. Loving mother of Dean Bellairs, who will always remember and love her for her seless devotion to him. Grandmother to Hannah and Zachary of South Lake Tahoe. Services have been held. During WWII, Daphne was a nurse in the Royal Air Force and travelled all over the world. She lived in England, Brazil, Canada and ďŹ nally making Palo Alto her home. She will be remembered and loved forever by her friends and family for her beauty, charm, intelligence, indomitable spirit and thoughtful nature. PA I D
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Robert Mark Lefkowits December 10, 1947 - June 26, 2011 Bob passed away on Sunday June 26th, at the age of 63, from complications of a spinal cord injury sustained in 2006. A graduate of Highland Park High school in 1965, he went on to get a BS from Dartmouth College, and an MBA from the University of Michigan. A true entrepreneur, Bob’s career in marketing spanned four decades and nearly a dozen telecommunications start-ups in Silicon Valley. He had an adventurous spirit and a passion for travel and the outdoors. An accomplished, pilot, mountaineer and scuba diver, throughout his life he explored the tops of mountains, the bottoms of oceans, and everything in between. Traveling both with his family and for work, he enjoyed many destinations including China, Brazil, Belize, Chile, Hungary, and every state except Arkansas. His favorite destination was Crater Lake in Oregon. Many knew him as “Coach Bobâ€? for his involvement with his children’s basketball, soccer, and baseball teams. A dedicated husband, father, brother, son, uncle, cousin and friend, he is remembered by all as a kind spirit who pursued his dreams and lived his life to the fullest, but was never hesitant to put the needs of others in front of his own. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Connie, their sons Jeff and Brad, their daughter Heather and her husband John, and two grandchildren, Elle and Cade, as well as his father Stuart, sister Dee, brother Don and sister-in-law Laura and many adoring uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his beloved mother, Elaine. In lieu of owers, donations can be made to the Christopher Reeve Foundation (www.christopherreeve.org). A memorial service will be held at Spangler Mortuary (399 So. San Antonio Rd.) in Los Altos on Saturday July 9th at 1:30pm. PA I D
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